GOD SAVES THROUGH FAITH ALONE!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

TUESDAY OCTOBER 1, 2019.

SUBJECT : GOD SAVES THROUGH FAITH ALONE!

Memory verse: 

“

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.

" 

(Ephesians 2 vs 8.)

READ: Ephesians 2 vs 4 - 10:

2:4: But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,

2:5: even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved),
2:6: and raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
2:7: that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
2:8: For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
2:9: not of works, lest anyone should boast.

2:10: For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God 

prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

INTIMATION:

God saves us through faith alone. And faith is primarily a firm persuasion, a conviction based upon hearing. The Bible, in Hebrews 11 vs 1, defines faith thus, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” The beginning point of faith is believing in God’s character: He is who He says. The end point is believing in God’s promises: He will do what He says. When we believe that God will fulfill His promises even though we don’t see those promises materializing yet, we demonstrate true faith.

Therefore, the main elements in faith as it relates to the invisible God, as distinct from faith in man, are (1) a firm conviction, producing a full acknowledgement of God’s revelation or truth; (2) a personal surrender to Him, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His Name” (John 1 vs 12); (3) a conduct inspired by such surrender; “For we walk by faith not by sight” (Second Corinthians 5 vs 7). All this stands in contrast to belief in its purely natural exercise, which consists of an opinion held in good faith without necessary reference to its proof.

Why does God save us by faith alone? (1) Faith eliminates the pride of human effort, because faith is not a deed that we do, but a gift from God. (2) Faith exalts what God has done, not what we do. (3) Faith admits that we can’t keep the law or measure up to God’s standards—we need help. (4) Faith is based on our relationship with God, not our performance for God. In all these man has no contributions, and therefore, is wholly dependent on God. 

Because our salvation and even our faith are gifts, we should respond with gratitude, praise, and joy. We become Christians through God’s unmerited grace, not as a result of any effort, ability, intelligent choice, or acts of service on our part. However, out of gratitude for this free gift, we will seek to help and serve others with kindness, love, and gentleness, and not merely to please ourselves. While no action or work we do can help us obtain salvation, God’s intention is that our salvation will result in acts of service. We are not saved merely for our own benefit but to serve Christ and build up the church. 

God did not save us because of, rather in spite of, what He saw in us. In addition to thanking Him for what He has done for us, we should also show humble patience and tolerance for others who seem unworthy or undeserving of our love and compassion. They may be spiritually dull, rebellious, and even antagonistic toward God. So were we: but God loved us anyway. Can we do less for fellow sinners?

The penalty of sin and its power over us were miraculously destroyed by Christ on the cross. Through faith in Christ we stand acquitted, or not guilty, before God (Romans 3 vs 21 - 22). God does not take us out of the world or make us robots—we will still feel like sinning and sometimes we will sin. The difference is that before we became Christians, we were dead in sin and were slaves to our sinful nature. But now we are alive with Christ: “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God; who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2 vs 20). 

Prayer: Abba Father, thank You for the gift of faith, and for what Christ wrought for us in redemption. Give me the grace to live for You the rest of my life, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

THE BLESSINGS IN GIVING!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 30, 2019.

SUBJECT: THE BLESSINGS IN GIVING! 

Memory verse: "It is more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts 20 vs 35.)

READ: Luke 6 vs 38; 16 vs 10 - 11; Second Corinthians 9 vs 8 - 11:

6:38: Give and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.

16:10: He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much.

16:11: Therefore If you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?

Second Corinthians 9:8: And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work

9:9: As it is written: “He has dispersed abroad, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.”

9:10: Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness,

9:11: while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God.

INTIMATION:

Giving is a service to God, especially when it is done for God’s work, and within the household of faith. In God's economy, you move closer toward your goals by giving out than you do by clinging to everything you have. God is the source of all you have; “A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.” (John 3 vs 27.) Every good and perfect gift comes from God (James 1 vs 17), He alone gives us power to get wealth (Deuteronomy 8 vs 18). Consequently, He blesses us so that we can be a blessing (Genesis 12 vs 3). 

God is our source of all we have, regardless of how much effort we put into earning a living. Yes, money or possessions may be difficult to come by, and you may have worked hard to acquire them, and giving some of them away would only seem to put you further away from the goal of having all your needs met. All of that would be true if God wasn't your source. For instance, the people of our generation live at a level of relative prosperity that most people throughout history couldn't have dreamed of, yet we didn't do anything to be born at this time. We didn't cause ourselves to be born into such opportunity and freedom. It is quite obvious that the ability to prosper is a gift from God, and we can't boast of the opportunities we have been given.

The apostle Paul used those splendid words in First Corinthians 4 vs 7 to emphasize the fact that all you have you have received; "For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?" 

The apostle Paul, In Galatians 6 vs 9  - 10 says; “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Paul challenges us to continue in the act of doing good, like giving to the needy, especially among believers, whether it is acknowledged or not. Although, it is discouraging to continue doing right and receiving no word of thanks or see any tangible results, but we should trust God for the results if we faint not. In due time, we will reap a harvest of blessing, and a crown of glory in eternity with Christ.

God gives us resources to use and invest for Him. The resources He gives us are not to be hidden, foolishly devoured, or thrown away. Instead, they should be cultivated in order to produce more resources; “Blessed to be a blessing.” When we invest what God has given us in His work, and according to His will, He will provide us with even more to give in His service. Therefore, there is no lack in giving according to God’s will; He will make you sufficient in all things, that you may have an abundance for every good work. He owns all things, and shows His compassion to whom He chooses (Romans 9 vs 15). Your giving is also counted for you as righteousness, and He ensures you prosper in the things you do, and is enriched in everything for all generosity.

Your selfishness with possessions is ungodly. God has only entrusted all you have to your care, and stewardship to Him. It is not yours, God owns all resources (Psalm 50 vs 12). And proper use of the resources entrusted in our care by the Owner is demonstrated in how we use it to earn eternal benefit. For instance, If we use our money to help those in need or to help others find Christ, our earthly investment will bring eternal benefit. Unselfish use of the possessions is an act of obedience to God’s Will. It's one thing to say you believe God is your source, but it's another thing to prove it. The way you prove to yourself, not God, is to give a portion of what you make back to Him.

Prayer: Abba Father, All I have I have received from You! Endue me with the spirit of giving to serve You and others with what You gave entrusted in my care, that I may be approved as a worthy steward, and earn myself true riches, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

THE PURIFYING BLOOD OF JESUS!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 29, 2019.

SUBJECT : THE PURIFYING BLOOD OF JESUS!

Memory verse: 

“Whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed,

" 

(Romans 3 vs 25.)

READ: Revelation 7 vs 9 - 17:

7:9: After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, people, and tongues, standing before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands,

7:10: and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and unto the Lamb!
7:11: All the angels stood round the throne, and the elders and the four creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshipped God,
7:12: saying: “Amen! Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be to our God for ever and ever. Amen.”
7:13: Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?”
7:14: And I said to him, “Sir, you know.” So he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
7:15: Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them.
7:16: They shall hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat;

7:17: for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.

INTIMATION:

Sin is a moral evil, a transgression of God’s will, or rebellion against God’s laws. It is a perversion of heart culminating into wrongdoing and committing of offense, thereby missing the expected mark of an upright moral life. And sin alienates us from God; our relationship with God is severed. And if allowed to continue or stay, will completely lead to our permanent separation from God, our eventual destruction.

God, in His infinite mercy, benevolence, and love, made a provision for our reconciliation to Himself through the sacrifice of His Son’s life for the sin of the whole world: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3 vs 16.) Christ died in our place, for our sins. God is justifiably angry at sinners. They have rebelled against Him and cut themselves off from His life-giving power. But God declares Christ’s death, the shedding of His blood, to be the appropriate, designated sacrifice for our sin. Christ then stands in our place, having paid the penalty of death for our sin, and He completely satisfies God’s demands. His sacrifice brings pardon, deliverance, and freedom.

The passage we read today gives us the glimpse of the believers cleansing by the purifying blood of Jesus, and their final rest with God in His place. The blood of Jesus washes us clean from sin’s stubborn stain, and it is the only remedy available to mankind. It is difficult to imagine how blood could make any cloth white, but the blood of Jesus Christ is the world’s greatest purifier because it removes the stain of sin, no matter how deep the stain. White symbolizes sinless perfection or holiness, which can be given to people only by the death of the sinless Lamb of God on our behalf. This is a picture of how we are saved through faith in what Christ has wrought for us in redemption. 

All who have been faithful through the ages are singing before God’s throne. Their tribulations and sorrows are over: no more tears for sin, for all sins are forgiven; no more tears for death, for all believers have been resurrected to die no more. The multitude in heaven is composed of all those who remained faithful to God throughout the generations. God includes and protects each of all the believers, and they are all guaranteed a place in His presence. 

God will provide for His children’s needs in their eternal home where there will be no hunger, thirst, or pain, and He will wipe away all tears. When you are suffering or torn apart by sorrow, take comfort in this promise of complete perfection and relief. The believers come through their times of suffering by remaining loyal to God. Because they remain faithful, God will give them eternal life with Him.

God says, “Come now, and let us reason together,” says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow, though they are red like crimson they shall be as wool.” (Isaiah 1 vs 18.) Crimson was the color of a deep-red permanent dye, and its deep stain was virtually impossible to remove from clothing. The stain of sin seems equally permanent, but God can remove sin’s stain from our lives, if we are willing and obedient. Christ will forgive and remove our most indelible stains through His purifying blood.

Christianity is unique in that no good deed that we do will make us right with God. No amount of human achievement or personal goodness will close the gap between God’s moral perfection and our imperfect daily performance. People try many methods to remove the guilt of sin—good deeds, intellectual pursuits, and even casting blame on others. Good deeds are important, but they will not earn us eternal life. But we are saved only by trusting in what Jesus Christ has done for us; purifying us from the stain of sin through His blood. Have you had the guilt of sin removed in the only way possible? 

Prayer: Abba Father, thank You most precious Redeemer for the gift of Your Son to the World as a propitiation for our sins. With His blood He has purified all who put their trust in Him as Lord and Savior. Endue me with the spirit of raw obedience to Him, in Jesus’ most precious Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

THE BANE OF COMPROMISED FAITH!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 28, 2019.

SUBJECT : THE BANE OF COMPROMISED FAITH!

Memory verse: 

“But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.

" 

(Revelation 2 vs 14.)

READ: Second Peter 2 vs 15 - 16:

2:15: They have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;

2:16: but he was rebuked for his iniquity; a dumb donkey speaking with man's voice restrained the madness of the prophet.

INTIMATION:

Compromised faith gives up part of something it believes in. Obedience to rules of engagement is incomplete. A right relationship with God is based on our faith—the heartfelt inner confidence that God is who He says He is and does what He says He will do. This occasions sincere and complete obedience to His laws. Unfortunately, the cares of this world—possessions, pleasures, power etc—have continued to be a bane of many having a right relationship with God, compromising our faith in Him. Lack of faith in God leads to many problems. This invariably, happens when we take over for God, trying to make His promise come true through efforts that are not in line with His specific directions. 

The passage we read today, is about Balaam, one of those noteworthy Old Testament characters who, though not one of God’s chosen people, was willing to acknowledge that the Lord was indeed a powerful God. But he did not believe in the Lord as the only true God. He faith in God was compromised. His story exposes the deception of maintaining an outward facade of spirituality over a corrupt inward life. Balaam was a man ready to obey God’s command as long as he could profit from doing so. The mixture of motives—obedience and profit—eventually led to Balaam’s death. Although he realized the awesome power of Israel’s God, His heart was occupied with the wealth he could gain in Moab. 

Balaam entered his prophetic role seriously, but his heart was mixed. He had some knowledge of God, but not enough to forsake his magic and turn wholeheartedly to God. Although the earlier stories recorded in Numbers 22 vs 1 - 24 vs 25 portrayed Balaam as obedient to God, but eventually his evil motives and desire for money won out (Numbers 25 vs 1 - 3; 31 vs 16). He couldn’t resist the tempting pull of money and idolatry. Haven compromised his faith, he used religion for personal advancement, a sin that God does not take lightly. And he caused the children of Israel great harm. 

The consequences of Balaam’s compromised faith to the Israelites was recorded In Numbers 31 vs 16, the Scripture says, “Look, these women caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to trespass against the Lord in the incident of Poer, and there was a plague among the congregation of the Lord.” And in the Book of Jude, the Scripture says, “Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.” (Jude 11.) 

Jude gives three examples of men of compromised faith who did whatever they wanted: Cain, who murdered his brother out of vengeful jealousy (Genesis 4 vs 1 - 16); Balaam, who prophesied out of greed, not out of obedience to God’s command (Numbers 22 - 24); Korah, who rebelled against God’s divinely appointed leaders, wanting the power for himself (Numbers 16 vs 1 - 35). These stories illustrate attitudes that are typical of those who compromise their faith in God—pride, selflessness, jealousy, greed, lust for power, and disregard of God’s will. Their outward appearance and actions—pious, church attendance, prayer, good deeds—do not reflect their inner conviction and commitment to God. 

Our society is adorned with the likes of Balaam; people who have compromised their faith: pastors, prophets, apostles, teachers, and laity. The cares of this world have a great pull on such persons, that they pick and choose what, and what not to believe or obey in God’s laws. Many believers live through the same process. Who and what we are will somehow come to the surface, destroying any masks we may have used in order to cover up our real selves. Outwardly we appear pious, but inwardly harboring sinful desires. Efforts spent in keeping up appearances would be much better spent on finding the answer to sin in our lives. We can avoid Balaam’s mistake by facing ourselves and realizing that God is willing to accept us, forgive us, and literally make us over from within.

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with the spirit of un-compromised faith in You, that I will have an unfettered right relationship with You, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

RAISING YOUR CHILDREN. OPEN. HEAVEN

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: FRIDAY 27TH SEPTEMBER 2019

THEME: RAISING YOUR CHILDREN


MEMORISE:
And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children. Isaiah  54:13


READ: 1 Samuel  2:27-33

2:27 And there came a man of God unto Eli, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Did I plainly appear unto the house of thy father, when they were in Egypt in Pharaoh's house?  2:28 And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer upon mine altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? and did I give unto the house of thy father all the offerings made by fire of the children of Israel?  2:29 Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people?  2:30 Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.  2:31 Behold, the days come, that I will cut off thine arm, and the arm of thy father's house, that there shall not be an old man in thine house.  2:32 And thou shalt see an enemy in my habitation, in all the wealth which God shall give Israel: and there shall not be an old man in thine house for ever.  2:33 And the man of thine, whom I shall not cut off from mine altar, shall be to consume thine eyes, and to grieve thine heart: and all the increase of thine house shall die in the flower of their age.


MESSAGE

Parents are stewards to whom God has entrusted children for proper care, and He expects to get a good report of their performance in this assignment. In essence, every parent is a caretaker of his or her children. As a parent, how are you carrying out this delicate assignment? Are you handling it with levity of putting in all the effort it requires? Modernisation is fast eroding good culture in our children. Many parents in the name of modernisation put tight and revealing clothes on their little children when they are going out. How do you expect little girls like that to dress when they become adults? Many parents complain about their teenage children's choice of clothes and level of sexual exposure, without realising that they are the ones who caused it all. These days, some parents claim they don't want to "force a religion" on their children, saying they want them to choose for themselves; so, they go to church and leave their children at home sleeping. However, when it comes to education, they force their children to wake up early to go to school. Can't you see that the devil is already deceiving you into placing your child in his hands? How can you say your life is better because you met Jesus Christ, yet you want to leave your child to possibly choose something else? Ensure your children go to church and that they read their Bibles. Introduce them to the One who died to save their souls, doing the best you can to ensure that they are saved, and trust God to keep them in the light when they are old enough to be on their own.


It is unfortunate that the devil has also started deceiving people into thinking that using the rod on a child is wrong. You may not agree with me, but I know that God's word is never wrong. Proverbs  23:13-14 says:

"Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell."

In fact, the word of God says if you don't use the rod on your child, then it means you hate that child (Proverbs 13:24). There is a difference between child abuse and chastising a child. You can withhold the cane and still abuse that child, whereas you can use a cane and correct in love. Let us get it clear: our attention should be on correcting with love and not on whether you use the rod or not. The word of God is ever true: if you love your child, you will always instruct that child and will not spare the rod when it is necessary to discipline him or her. Put in your best efforts to ensure that you raise your children in God's way.


KEY POINT:
Are you training your children in God's way or the way society dictates?


BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
2 Kings 19-20, Daniel 8:15-9:2

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE


HYMN 16: GOD, GIVE US CHRISTIAN HOMES

1. God give us Christian homes
Homes where the Bible is loved and taught
Homes where the Master's will is sought
Homes crowned with beauty Thy love hath wrought
God give us Christian homes
God give us Christian homes

2. God give us Christian homes
Homes where the father is true and strong
Homes that are free from the blight of wrong
Homes that are joyous with love and song
God give us Christian homes
God give us Christian homes

3. God give us Christian homes
Homes where the mother, in caring quest
Strives to show others Your way is best
Homes where the Lord is an honoured guest
God give us Christian homes
God give us Christian homes

4. God give us Christian homes
Homes where the children are led to know
Christ in His beauty who loves them so
Homes where the altar fires burn and glow
God give us Christian homes
God give us Christian homes.

A SHORT STORY

A SHORT STORY
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There was an aged artist who lived in a small village. The man used to design beautiful artistic works to be sold at an attractive price.

One day, a poor man among the villagers challenged the old man saying: "You earn a lot of money from your handiwork but why don't you assist poor people in the village?

Can’t you see that the butcher is not as rich as you are, but he still shares free meat to the poor people in the village?

Also, look at the village baker. He is a poor man with a large family. Yet he gives the poor people free loaves of bread".

The artist did not respond angrily to the accusations. He only smiled.

The poor man was confused about the reaction of the artist so he left him and went out spreading rumors that the artist was so rich, but he was a selfish person who only accumulated wealth and refused to help the poor.

The villagers hated the old artist and they all forsook him.

The old artist became sick and could not do anything for himself but nobody among the villagers cared to visit him or helped him so he died a lonely old man.

The days passed by and the villagers observed that the butcher stopped free distribution of meat and the baker could not give the poor people free loaves of bread any more.

When the butcher and the baker were asked why they stopped helping the villagers, they said that: "the old artist used to donate money every month to pay for the free meat and bread to the poor people in the village. Now that he was dead, there was nobody to pay for the free food anymore"

Actually, many people may have wrong impressions and different opinions about you.

But do not allow any of them to influence or destroy who you are.

Do not pass judgment on anyone based on his physical appearance or what people say about him.

There are things about his personal life you do not know.
If you were privileged to know about them, your judgment would surely be different.

 A man died in a drinking- spot / dance hall.
 Another person died in the Church.
 If we are to judge them, we would say that the 1st man died a sinner and the 2nd man died a righteous man.

But the 1st man entered the drinking spot to preach against sin and the 2nd man entered the Church to steal from the church.

For this reason, you and I cannot decide who goes to heaven or who goes to hell.

Fear God in your privacy and fear God in the open.

Human physical appearance is just a deception therefore forgive people and ignore their short - comings.

Pray for one another.
Be good to everybody. And don't cut off your relationship with a person just because he does not please you.

Establish unity and harmony with all.

For the LORD Who created all souls, knows what each soul conceals.

May GOD Bless You all Amen from evangelist OLATUNBOSUN BOSEDE ISAAC  Good morning

WHAT WOULD JESUS JESUS SAY OF YOU

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2019.

SUBJECT : WHAT WOULD JESUS SAY OF YOU?

Memory verse: “He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name out of the Book of life, but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels." (Revelation 3 vs 5.)

READ: Luke 12 vs 8 - 9:
12:8: Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God:
9 But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.

INTIMATION:
Our true value is God’s estimate of our worth. How would Christ confess your name before His Father, and the angels of God? Jesus said, “Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God.” Anyone who confesses Jesus Christ (that is, publicly acknowledges faith in or declares allegiance to Him) will be acknowledged by Christ before His Father in heaven, and before the angels of God. We acknowledge Him when we (1) live moral, upright, Christ-honoring lives, (2) look for opportunities to share our faith with others, (3) help others in need, (4) take a stand for justice, (5) love others, (6) acknowledge our loyalty to Christ, and (7) use our lives and resources to carry out His desires rather than our own.

Now, considering the seven points above, how would you score or rate yourself? The points are not multiple choice or a pick and drop option, but rather an all-inclusive demand of any follower of Christ. In our memory verse, Jesus was admonishing the church in Sardis, He said to them, “He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name out of the Book of life, but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels." To be “clothed in white” means to be set apart for God and made pure. Christ promises future honor and eternal life to those who stand firm in their faith. For such believers, their names are registered in the Book of Life. This book symbolizes God’s knowledge of who belongs to Him. All such people are guaranteed a listing in the Book of Life and are introduced to the hosts of heaven as belonging to Christ.

For those who reject Jesus, they will be sentenced to eternal condemnation, and they will also be denied by Him before the Father in heaven, and the angels of God. What a tragedy! Rejecting Christ will guarantee an eternity of shame later. We deny Jesus when we (1) hope no one will find out we are Christians, (2) decide not to speak up for what is right, (3) are silent about our relationship with God, (4) blend into society, and (5) accept our culture’s non-Christian values. We can reject Jesus now and be rejected by Him at His second coming, or we can accept Him now and be accepted by Him then.

Have you ever thought of such idea or bothered about who Jesus would say you are? Interestingly, this should be the most important question in everyone’s life, and requires a sincere answer. This is because of the Day—the judgement Day—when every one will appear before Christ; ”For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what He has done, whether good or bad.” (Second Corinthians 5 vs 10.) “As it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9 vs 27).

Christ will judge each and everyone of us at His second coming, both the living and the dead, and He will reward us for how we have lived. Although judgment is already working in our lives, there will be a future, final judgment when Christ returns (Matthew 25 vs 31 - 46), and everyone’s life will be reviewed and evaluated. For the believers, their eternal destiny is secure, but Jesus will look at how they handled gifts, opportunities, and responsibilities in order to determine their heavenly rewards. God’s gracious gift of salvation does not free us from the requirement of faithful obedience. Everybody, Christians and non-Christians,  must give account of how they lived before Christ.

All believers in Christ should strive and endure to the end, that Jesus could say of you, “I know your works. See I have set before You an open door, and no one can shut it, for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.” (Revelation 3 vs 8.) Enduring to the end is not a way to be saved but the evidence that a person is really committed to Jesus. Persistence is not a means to earn salvation; it is the by-product of a truly devoted life.

Prayer: Abba Father, Give me the grace to lead a life pleasing You at all times, that the Son of Man will confess my name before You, and Your angels, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.
PRAISE THE LORD!